The verdict
A struggling mid-size suv, strong on safety and held back by performance.
Overall 1.76 (C-) across 10 graded subjects. Its strongest is safety at 2.41 (C+), its weakest performance & powertrain at 0.71 (F). 5 of 10 subjects grade at C− or better.
Jump to scoresStrengths
- Safety
- Reliability & Quality
- Driving Experience
What holds it back
- Performance & Powertrain
- Technology & Infotainment
- Efficiency & Range
Top alternatives
Cars shoppers cross-shop with the Ford Edge
2.40C+
Nissan MuranoMid-Size SUVBetter at: FreshnessThe same two-row, comfort-first formula as the Edge but freshly redesigned and still in production, so it comes with a full warranty and a parts-and-support future.
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2.79B-
Hyundai Santa FeMid-Size SUVBetter at: EfficiencyA hybrid option in the mid-30s MPG, a bonus third row, and far longer warranty coverage turn every Edge ownership-cost weakness into a strength.
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2.63C+
Honda PassportMid-Size SUVBetter at: Cargo & resaleIf you want a two-row SUV that hauls gear rather than just people, the Passport adds 10-plus cubic feet of cargo, 5,000 lbs of towing, and much stronger resale value.
CompareHow it's evolved
8 scored model years · 2017–2024
Subject scores by year
Hover or tap a score to see what moved it versus the year before. A corner mark flags a big swing.
| Year | Performance | Efficiency | Safety | Space | Cost | Reliability | Tech | Use-case | Driving | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 39 | 52 | 66 | 55 | 42 | 67 | 64 | 62 | 61 | 54 |
| 2023 | 39 | 52 | 66 | 55 | 43 | 67 | 55 | 56 | 61 | 50 |
| 2022 | 41 | 47 | 66 | 54 | 44 | 63 | 50 | 54 | 61 | 50 |
| 2021 | 40 | 55 | 65 | 56 | 49 | 58 | 65 | 54 | 60 | 51 |
| 2020 | 41 | 52 | 65 | 56 | 54 | 63 | 41 | 54 | 60 | 56 |
| 2019 | 39 | 63 | 65 | 56 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 53 | 60 | 59 |
| 2018 | 38 | 59 | 52 | 54 | 51 | 54 | 44 | 51 | 62 | 58 |
| 2017 | 38 | 59 | 49 | 54 | 51 | 49 | 42 | 50 | 62 | 63 |
Compare two years
Best fit & conditions
Higher scores mean a better fit for that use case. Learn more about use-case fit →
Subject profile
Detailed scoring by subject
1Performance & PowertrainThe Edge's lowest-graded category.0.71F
The SEL, the Edge's best-selling trim for 2020, carries the standard 2.0L EcoBoost turbo I-4 rated 250 hp; the ST's 2.7L twin-turbo V6 is a distinct high-output option.
Peak torque for the standard 2.0L EcoBoost four, paired with Ford's 8-speed automatic on all Edge trims.
Instrumented test of a 2.0L EcoBoost AWD Edge (Titanium) by Car and Driver; the ST is considerably quicker thanks to its twin-turbo V6.
The 2.0L EcoBoost four is adequately smooth and torquey around town but shows some turbo lag and coarseness under hard acceleration; reviewers rated the ST's twin-turbo V6 noticeably more refined and eager.
The 8-speed automatic standard across the lineup shifts smoothly in most driving with occasional hesitation hunting for the right gear under light throttle, per period reviews.
The standard 2.0L EcoBoost Edge is rated to tow 1,500 lbs; the ST's 2.7L twin-turbo V6 with the trailer tow package raises the max conventional rating to 3,500 lbs.
AWD is optional on SE, SEL, and Titanium and standard on ST, with a basic driver-selectable drive mode system (Normal/Sport/Slippery) but no low-range or terrain-specific hardware.
The Edge is a pavement-oriented crossover with modest ~8.2 in ground clearance, no dedicated off-road trim, skid plates, or low-range gearing.
Only two gas engine choices for 2020 — the 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 and the ST's 2.7L twin-turbo V6 — with no hybrid, PHEV, or EV variant offered on the Edge nameplate.
2Efficiency & RangeOne of the Edge's weakest categories.1.50D
The 2020 Edge carried over its 2019-refresh powertrains unchanged: 2.0L EcoBoost I4 standard on SE/SEL/Titanium, 2.7L EcoBoost V6 on ST, both paired exclusively with an 8-speed automatic. AWD is the more common configuration on volume trims.
City rating for the standard 2.0L EcoBoost AWD powertrain on volume SE/SEL/Titanium trims.
Highway rating for the standard 2.0L EcoBoost AWD powertrain on volume SE/SEL/Titanium trims.
Computed from Ford's published 18.0-gallon fuel tank capacity (shared across the 2020 Edge lineup) against the EPA combined rating for the volume 2.0L EcoBoost AWD trim.
Estimated using the standard EPA annual-cost formula (15,000 mi/yr, contemporaneous regular-fuel price assumption) applied to the 23 MPG combined rating for the volume 2.0L EcoBoost AWD trim; not independently verified against a live fueleconomy.gov listing this session (search grounding quota was exhausted).
The volume SE/SEL/Titanium trims' 2.0L EcoBoost runs on regular 87-octane fuel with no premium requirement; only the performance-oriented ST's 2.7L EcoBoost V6 recommends premium, which is a low-volume trim.
3SafetyThe Edge's best-graded category.2.41C+
NHTSA's full 5-star overall rating for the 2020 Edge, on the second-generation structure introduced for the 2019 model year and carried through the 2019-2024 run unchanged.
All performed crashworthiness tests scored Good, and the 2020 Edge appears on IIHS's 2020 Top Safety Pick list, but the award technically applies only to Titanium (301A) and ST (401A) trims with the optional adaptive LED headlights — the SE/SEL/base-Titanium volume trims carry Poor-rated headlights and don't qualify.
Ford Co-Pilot360 (AEB with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beams) is standard on every 2020 Edge trim, but adaptive cruise control and lane centering require the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package on the base SE.
IIHS rated the standard front crash prevention system Advanced/Superior for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian detection on this generation, a solid result just below the top tier.
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert is standard fleet-wide for 2020 as part of Co-Pilot360, but it is alert-only with no automated braking intervention.
Standard lane-keeping assist provides basic warning/correction; true lane-centering only comes bundled with the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adaptive cruise package on SE, and reviewers describe it as functional rather than refined on this platform.
Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adds stop-and-go adaptive cruise with lane centering and evasive steering assist, standard from SEL up and optional on SE, but reviewers note nothing standout versus segment leaders on this mid-cycle platform.
Ford's BlueCruise hands-free system did not exist yet for the 2020 model year (it debuted on the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 in 2021), and it was never offered on the Edge at any point in its run.
IIHS rated headlights Poor on the SE/SEL/base-Titanium volume trims for this generation; only Titanium with the 301A package and ST with 401A (adaptive LED projector) achieved the Acceptable rating needed for Top Safety Pick.
Reviewers note thick roof pillars and modest glass area hamper sightlines; a standard rearview camera and optional 180-degree front camera partially offset the blind zones.
Full LATCH hardware (two lower-anchor sets plus a center tether) is present, but IIHS rated ease-of-use only Acceptable, citing lower anchors set too deep and tether hardware that can be confused for anchors.
4Space & ComfortMid-pack among this car's ten categories.1.80C-
The Edge is a two-row, 5-passenger mid-size crossover across all trims (SE/SEL/Titanium/ST); Ford does not offer a third-row option, unlike 3-row mid-size rivals.
Front headroom figure for the volume SEL trim, standard roof.
Front legroom figure carried across all 2020 Edge trims.
Second-row headroom, standard roof, exceeds the top of the mid-size SUV normalization band thanks to the Edge's tall, boxy roofline.
Second-row legroom is generous for the segment, aided by the Edge having no third row to compromise packaging.
The 2020 Edge is a strictly two-row, 5-passenger SUV — no third row is offered at any trim or as an option. Buyers who need 6–8-seat capacity in a mid-size Ford crossover are routed to the 3-row Explorer instead.
Cargo volume behind the rear seats, on the lower end for the mid-size SUV band since the Edge is a two-row crossover without the extended cargo bay of 3-row rivals.
Maximum cargo volume with the 60/40 split second row folded flat.
Reviewers cite a deep center console bin, a large bin ahead of the rotary shifter, a covered forward console tray with built-in phone charger, dual lit cup holders, good-size door bins, and an under-used flip-up dash storage lid — competitive, well-organized storage without a standout signature feature like a giga console.
Front seats are widely praised as comfortable even on long trips, but base SE/SEL cloth seats are flat and unsupportive, and rear passengers found the bench under-cushioned and hard to get comfortable in despite reclining seatbacks; Titanium/ST get notably nicer chairs.
Suspension tuning skews firm but composed, absorbing moderate bumps well with good body control on harsh pavement; smaller road imperfections and larger optional wheels introduce some busyness/stiffness, keeping it a step below segment-leading plush rides.
Reviewers consistently note excellent isolation from wind, road, and engine noise at speed, a genuine strength for the nameplate.
Heated front seats arrive standard at SEL and up, but ventilated front seats and heated rear seats are bundled only in the pricey 301A equipment group, and a heated steering wheel is standard solely on range-topping Titanium (available elsewhere only via a Cold Weather Package) — solid but gated behind options rather than broadly available.
5Cost of OwnershipGrades below the middle of the scale.1.63D
2020 was the first model year of the mid-cycle refresh's second year, still offering a lower-cost FWD SE entry point below most mid-size SUV rivals; pricing ticked up modestly from 2019 with the same trim walk (SE/SEL/Titanium/ST).
SEL was the volume-selling 2020 Edge configuration, adding rear parking sensors, 18-in wheels, power driver's seat, and leather-wrapped steering wheel over SE while still pricing well below Titanium/ST-Line/ST.
RepairPal pegs the Edge's average annual repair cost at $611 with mid-pack class reliability (3.5/5.0); the well-proven 2.0L EcoBoost four keeps projected costs modest, in line with adjacent 2021 (~$4,900) model-year estimates for the same generation.
Weak residuals, among the worst in the mid-size SUV class for this generation — the aging 2015-2024 platform depreciates faster than fleet/rental exposure alone would explain, the single biggest ownership-cost drag on the Edge.
Ford's standard basic warranty — the floor of the mainstream segment, matching domestic and Japanese rivals but trailing Hyundai/Kia (5/60) and Mitsubishi (5/60).
Ford's standard 5/60 powertrain floor — again the segment minimum next to Hyundai/Kia's far more generous 10/100 coverage.
Ford offered no complimentary scheduled maintenance for the 2020 Edge, but all owners get complimentary Ford Roadside Assistance for 5 years/60,000 miles, and the newly-launched FordPass Rewards program let owners earn points toward service. FordPass Connect modem/connected-services trial was standard on higher trims but optional on base SE.
$35,450 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (44% retained, or about $15,598) leaves about $19,852 in depreciation. Add the projected $4,750 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $24,602 in total.
6Reliability & QualityOne of the Edge's strongest categories.2.26C
Consumer Reports gave the 2020 Edge a solidly above-average predicted reliability score, while J.D. Power's quality/dependability rating was strong; the two sources broadly agree it was one of the better model years for the second-generation Edge, though owner forums note some transmission complaints.
Ford has typically landed mid-to-lower-pack in Consumer Reports brand reliability rankings and J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study results across the 2020-era lineup, weighed down by infotainment and transmission issues on other nameplates.
The 2020 Edge was subject to three NHTSA recalls: a rear drive unit (AWD) lubrication issue that could cause axle seizure, a start/stop accumulator endcap with missing/loose bolts that could leak transmission fluid and pose a fire risk, and a rearview camera software glitch. None are catastrophic but the fire-risk transmission recall and driveline recall keep this below the clean-record tier.
The volume 2.0L EcoBoost turbo-four paired with the 8-speed automatic is a well-proven Ford/GM-derived combination, but owner forums and complaint sites document recurring hard-shift, jerking, and hesitation issues with this transmission on 2019-2020 Edge models, some traced to fluid leaks.
Reviewers praised soft-touch dash and door surfaces with stitched panel accents, but noted flat, basic lower-cabin plastics that don't fully justify the price on upper trims.
Assembly is generally solid and consistent, but Consumer Reports and other reviewers characterized overall fit and finish as unimpressive relative to rivals, with plain plastic trim in places.
Ford operates one of the largest and most geographically dense dealer networks in the US, giving Edge owners broad access to service regardless of location.
As a high-volume mainstream nameplate built on widely-shared Ford components, the Edge benefits from abundant OEM and aftermarket parts and moderate, non-luxury repair costs.
7Technology & InfotainmentOne of the Edge's weakest categories.0.74F
The 2020 Edge carries over the pre-refresh 8-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen as standard equipment from SEL up, one model year before the 2021 refresh's larger 12-inch SYNC 4 unit.
SYNC 3 remained a competent, reasonably quick touchscreen system for 2020 with logical menus and real climate/volume knobs, but by this point in its lifecycle reviewers considered it merely adequate next to newer rival systems.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on SYNC 3-equipped trims but require a wired USB connection; no wireless projection option exists on any 2020 Edge trim.
SYNC 3's voice commands handle basic phone, audio, and climate requests reliably but lack natural-language flexibility, and embedded navigation is a cost option that most SYNC 3-era buyers skip in favor of CarPlay/Android Auto maps.
A 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen Play audio system is available from SEL up, a genuinely premium option for the segment, while the base system is unremarkable but adequate.
Volume trims use analog gauges with a small monochrome/color driver information display rather than a configurable full-digital cluster; only the ST performance trim gets a distinct digital gauge treatment.
SYNC 3 supports occasional software and map updates via Wi-Fi or USB, but the 2020 Edge predates the cloud-connected, more frequent OTA scope that SYNC 4 introduced for 2021, so updates are infrequent and largely manual.
FordPass Connect with an embedded modem is standard across the 2020 Edge lineup, giving the free FordPass app remote start, lock/unlock, vehicle locate, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, though there is no digital-key feature.
The 2020 Edge is standard with two smart-charging USB-A ports and a 110V household outlet is not offered; there is no USB-C, and wireless charging is a limited-availability option rather than broadly offered.
Proximity keyless entry with push-button start and a hands-free power liftgate are available from SEL/Titanium up, with FordPass app remote start standard, though the base SE relies more on traditional key-fob functions.
A rear camera is standard fleet-wide, but rear parking sensors and the Enhanced Active Park Assist system (with a 180-degree front camera) are limited to Titanium and higher; Ford does not offer a true 360-degree surround-view system on this generation Edge.
Ford does not offer a head-up display on any 2020 Edge trim, consistent with this generation's feature set across model years.
8Use-Case FitGrades below the middle of the scale.1.63D
Wide door openings and a low load floor make loading kids and stroller gear easy, but the 2020 Edge is a strict two-row, 5-seat crossover with no third-row option, and IIHS rated LATCH ease-of-use only Acceptable for this generation, citing lower anchors set too deep and tether hardware that can be confused for anchors.
Ford Co-Pilot360 (automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beams, rear parking sensors) is standard across every 2020 Edge trim including the base SE, NHTSA rated it 5 stars overall, and the 2020 Edge earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, but only when built with the optional upgraded headlights, so the award isn't guaranteed on base-trim builds and adaptive cruise/lane-centering remains extra-cost.
Second-row space is generous (roughly 40.3 in headroom, 40.6 in legroom) and 39.2 cu ft of cargo room behind the rear seats swallows family luggage without folding anything down, but the rear bench is flat and thinly cushioned versus rivals, and there's no way to add capacity for a 6th/7th passenger.
A quiet, well-isolated cabin and the availability of a lighter, cheaper FWD configuration on SE/SEL/Titanium keep the Edge relaxed and easy around town, but the 2.0L EcoBoost/8-speed pairing shows occasional throttle hesitation and early upshift aggressiveness, and ride quality turns bouncy over smaller bumps.
The volume 2.0L EcoBoost FWD trims are EPA-rated 21/29/23 mpg city/highway/combined, and the lighter FWD layout is available on every non-ST trim, giving commuters a cheaper-to-run configuration than AWD-only alternatives, though still trailing the segment's hybrid and 4-cylinder-only competitors on per-mile running cost.
At roughly 188 inches long the Edge is more compact than 3-row mid-size SUVs, with a reasonable turning circle and an available 180-degree camera plus Active Park Assist on upper trims that ease tight parking, though it's still noticeably larger than a compact crossover in the city and those aids aren't standard on the base SE.
Base towing on any 2020 Edge is just 1,500 lbs, and reaching the maximum 3,500-lb rating requires the optional Class II Trailer Tow Package (standard on the 2.7L V6 ST, extra-cost elsewhere); there's no factory payload/bed capability, so the Edge can handle only a small utility trailer at best.
Third-party trackers peg the 2020 Edge around 64/100 ('Good') for reliability with 4 NHTSA recalls and 272 owner complaints, including a rear-drive-unit seizure recall and a start/stop accumulator bolt recall that can cause a transmission fluid leak, plus recurring owner reports of SYNC 3 glitches and rough transmission shifts — real marks against hard-use durability.
Standard roof-rail side rails accept aftermarket crossbars and racks and a Class II hitch is available, but there's no onboard power outlet for tools, no washable cargo liner ecosystem, and essentially no upfit market built around this platform.
A quiet cabin and supportive front seats make the Edge a competent highway cruiser, and available Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adaptive cruise reduces fatigue on longer hauls, and the FWD 2.0L's 29 mpg highway rating with an 18.5-gallon tank yields roughly 535 miles of highway range, though the rear seat's thin cushioning limits multi-hour comfort for all occupants and adaptive cruise isn't standard on the base SE.
Intelligent AWD is only optional on SE/SEL/Titanium for 2020 (standard only on the ST), so many buyers get a FWD-only crossover with no all-weather traction for gravel roads or campground access, and roughly 7.9 in of ground clearance with no low-range gearing or off-road-tuned suspension keeps even AWD-equipped Edges pavement-and-light-trail machines rather than true adventure vehicles.
60/40 split-folding rear seats open up to 73.4 cu ft with the second row down, and standard roof rails plus an available Class II hitch let owners add roof boxes or a small trailer, giving solid flexibility for gear even without a third row to fold.
9Driving ExperienceOne of the Edge's strongest categories.2.03C
Riding on the CD4 platform as updated for the 2019 mid-cycle refresh (carried unchanged into 2020), the Edge corners flatly with reassuring stability and decent grip for a mid-size crossover, but stays secure and composed rather than genuinely engaging; the new-for-2019 ST's firmer tuning sharpens body control without changing the lineup's comfort-biased character.
Steering is accurately weighted for confident placement in traffic and on the highway but delivers little genuine road feedback, consistent with Ford's comfort-tuned EPAS calibration for this generation; the ST's marginally heavier effort doesn't add meaningful feel.
Pedal feel is firm and predictable with no fade complaints in period reviews; the Edge delivers well-tuned, agreeable braking manners in everyday driving, with the ST's larger brake package adding reassurance for its extra power and weight.
The standard 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 (250 hp) paired with the 8-speed automatic delivers smooth low-rpm torque and unobtrusive shifts in normal driving with only occasional hesitant kickdowns; the ST's 2.7L EcoBoost V6 (335 hp) is markedly more responsive with negligible turbo lag, though its Sport-mode calibration was noted as occasionally abrupt at low speeds.
The cabin is well isolated from wind and road noise at cruise, with a quiet highway demeanor across trims; the base turbo-four becomes coarser and drone-prone under hard acceleration while the ST's V6 stays smoother and more pleasant-sounding through its rev range.
Turning diameter is consistent at 39.4 ft across the 2020 Edge lineup, unchanged from the 2019 refresh and on the wider end for a mid-size two-row crossover.
A raised seating position, wide seat/wheel adjustment range, good outward visibility, and Ford's straightforward SYNC 3 touchscreen/control layout (standard for 2020) make the Edge easy to drive for a range of body types, with only modest thick-A-pillar blind spots noted.
The mainstream Edge remains a competent, comfort-focused crossover rather than an engaging drive; the ST, new for 2019 and still fresh for 2020, adds real power and firmer tuning that give it genuine enthusiast appeal, but reviewers still rank the broader lineup behind more dynamically tuned mid-size SUV rivals.
10Value & Market PositionMid-pack among this car's ten categories.1.73C-
The 2019 mid-cycle refresh made Ford Co-Pilot360 (automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert) standard across the entire lineup, and that carries into 2020 alongside an 8-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto even at base SE. Dual-zone climate, the 12-inch touchscreen, and leather remain reserved for Titanium/ST, keeping the base spec competitive but not class-leading.
Pricing spans roughly $30,995 (SE) to $43,050 (ST) before destination, and the range includes a genuine performance flagship in the 335-hp 2.7L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 ST. The third-generation platform dates to 2015, so cabin materials and infotainment responsiveness trail newer mid-size rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe, keeping overall value fair rather than a standout.
Five trims (SE, SEL, ST-Line, Titanium, ST) span basic FWD/AWD crossover duty through the 335-hp 2.7L twin-turbo V6 ST performance variant, giving a wide, well-spaced range from value-focused to performance-focused buyers with FWD or AWD available on most trims.
2020 US Edge deliveries fell versus 2019 (roughly 130,000 units, down from ~161,000) as COVID-19 plant shutdowns idled production for about two months in spring 2020, landing the Edge in the middle of the mid-size crossover pack behind the Toyota Highlander and Jeep Grand Cherokee but ahead of the Nissan Murano and Honda Passport.
Ford's brand equity is buoyed by F-150, Mustang, and the newly launched Explorer/Escape refreshes, giving it solid mainstream credibility, but the Edge itself carries little halo and is a middling nameplate within the broader SUV lineup.
In response to the COVID-19 sales slump, Ford and rivals rolled out unusually generous 0% APR financing for up to 84 months plus deferred-payment offers through much of 2020, giving Edge shoppers meaningfully better deals than in tighter-inventory years like 2021.
The Edge's current generation dates to 2015 but received a substantial 2019 mid-cycle refresh (new front/rear styling, Co-Pilot360 rollout, ST and ST-Line additions), so 2020 is only one year removed from that update with no discontinuation news yet (that came in January 2022), keeping it mid-cycle rather than visibly aging.
Reviewers described the 2020 Edge as composed, comfortable, and reasonably refined post-refresh but unexciting in the mainstream trims, with the ST drawing praise for its V6 performance; it rarely topped comparison tests against the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe, or Nissan Murano and received no major industry awards for MY2020.
